Properties, identification

TC 9-524
LEAD
Lead is used mainly in the manufacture of electrical
equipment such as lead-coated power and telephone cables
and storage batteries. Zinc alloys are used in the manufacture
of lead weights, bearings, gaskets, seals, bullets, and shot.
Many types of chemical compounds are produced from lead.
Among these are lead carbonate (paint pigment) and tetraethyl
lead (antiknock gasoline). Lead is also used for X-ray
protection (radiation shields). Lead has more fields of
application than any other metal. It can be cast, cold worked,
welded, and machined. Lead has low strength with heavy
weight.
TIN
The major use of tin is in coating steel. It is the best
container for preserving perishable food. Tin, in the form of
foil, is often used in wrapping food products. A second major
use of tin is as an alloying element. Tin is alloyed with copper
to produce bronze, with lead to produce solder, and with
antimony and lead to form babbitt. Tin can be die cast, cold
worked, machined, and soldered; however, it cannot be
welded.
NICKEL
Nickel is used in making alloys of both ferrous and
nonferrous metals. Chemical and food processing equipment,
electrical resistance heating elements, ornamental trim, and
parts that must withstand elevated temperatures are all
produced from nickel containing metal. Alloyed with
chromium, it is used to make stainless steel. Nickel alloys are
readily welded by either gas or arc methods and can be
machined, forged, cast, and easily formed.
COBALT-CHROMIUM-TUNGSTEN
MOLYBDENUM WEAR-RESISTANT
ALLOYS
These alloys feature a wear resistance which makes them
ideal for metal-cutting operations. Their ability to retain
hardness even at red-heat temperatures also makes them
especially useful for cutting tools. Common cutting tools will
lose their edge at high heat, whereas this alloy group is
actually tougher at red heat than it is when cold; as a result,
higher speeds and feeds may be used when machining with
tools made with these alloys.
PRECIOUS METALS
These include silver, gold, platinum, palladium, iridium,
osmium, rhodium, and ruthenium, and their alloys. These
alloys are produced under technical and legal requirements.
Gold alloys used for jewelry are described in karats. The karat
is the content of gold expressed in twenty-fourths. An 18-karat
gold alloy would contain 18/24 gold (75 percent by weight).
Other than jewelry, there are many industrial uses for precious
metals.